Aston Villa brace themselves for interest in Emiliano Martinez as elite clubs circle World Cup hero
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Aston Villa brace for interest in Emiliano Martinez as elite clubs surround Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper after his heroics in Qatar… but the Premier League club are under no pressure to sell
- Aston Villa preparing to fend off offers for Argentine star Emiliano Martinez
- Martínez won the Gold Glove at the tournament after his performances in Qatar
- The World Cup winner is now drawing interest from elite clubs in Europe.
- Bayern Munich believes that Martínez could be the successor to the injured Manuel Neuer
Aston Villa are primed for interest in Emiliano Martinez from Europe’s elite after his heroics for Argentina at the World Cup.
Martínez received the Golden Glove for the tournament’s best goalkeeper after a succession of fine performances, including a crucial save by French striker Randal Kolo Muani with the score tied at the end of extra time in the final.
And despite his gunfight antics, he returns to Villa with his much-improved reputation.
Aston Villa believe that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez could be the subject of offers from elite clubs
Bayern Munich are believed to be following Martinez in their search for a long-term successor to Manuel Neuer, who turns 37 in March and will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a skiing accident. The Germany international also has just 18 months left on his current contract.
However, Villa is under little financial pressure to sell Martinez. The 30-year-old signed a new contract less than a year ago which runs until 2027 and is believed to earn a basic salary of around £100,000 a week, making him one of Villa’s highest-paid players.
That deal was a big pay rise compared to the original four-year deal Martinez signed when he joined Villa from Arsenal in September 2020, and it puts the club in a very strong bargaining position should offers come through.
The Argentine star won the Golden Glove in Qatar as the best goalkeeper of the tournament
Martínez’s agent, Gustavo Goni, has ruled this week on the possibility of his client leaving Villa.
Interviewed by the Italian media, he said: ‘He is a great goalkeeper, the best in the world.
Not many clubs could afford a goalkeeper like him. The Serie A clubs? Well why not? It is clear that he is aiming high, for the Champions League.
The Argentine’s career took a dramatic turn during Project Restart, when he replaced the injured Bernd Leno and helped Arsenal win the FA Cup before moving to Villa. He also won the Copa América last year.
Martínez’s save in the last minutes of the final was one of the best ever seen in a World Cup